Schuylkill County Disability Lawyer

Many people in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania suffer from a disability that prevents them from working. As a result, they often have trouble making ends meet. One way to ease this burden is by applying for benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are available to those who are disabled and have little-to-no income. Social security disability benefits (SSDI) are available for those who worked for a certain number of years but are now disabled.

Whether you are applying for SSI or SSDI in Schuylkill County, PA, it is important to work with a knowledgeable attorney in your area. Having an attorney who is familiar with the intricacies of these benefit programs can make all the difference.

If you have a low income and a limited amount of resources, a lawyer for SSI disability will be able to walk you through the process of applying for benefits. A Supplemental Security Income lawyer can also help with your appeal, should your application be denied.

Social Security Disability Insurance

The best SSI lawyer is also familiar with the SSDI program and its requirements. You may even be able to receive SSDI benefits in addition to SSI benefits. To qualify for SSDI benefits, a person must have worked and paid into the Social Security system long enough to have acquired sufficient credits. In addition, they must prove their disability renders them unable to work. There are different criteria to use when determining whether a person is disabled physically or mentally.

The SSA published a list of impairments called Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, better known as the “Blue Book.” The Blue Book lists every qualifying impairment and the specific criteria that must be met for each.

While a lawyer for SSDI will be familiar with this list, it is in your interest to review it before filing your application. This list also provides helpful information for finding a doctor who can provide the necessary medical evidence you need to secure benefits.

When applying for disability benefits, the SSA looks at whether or not there are any jobs that you could do given your disability. For SSDI, the age of the applicant is also a factor. Those who are 50 or older have an easier time being approved for these benefits, while those who are under 50 may have a difficult time. In addition, your chances of approval increase if you have had recent medical treatment or received recent doctor’s notes.

Social Security Disability Hearing

If your application for SSDI or SSI benefits is denied, you have several opportunities to appeal the SSA’s decision. The SSA’s appeal process consists of the following four stages:

• Reconsideration
• Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Review by the Appeals Council
• Federal Court review

Usually, if an initial application is erroneously denied, the applicant will be approved after a reconsideration. However, if you are denied after reconsideration, you may realize, “I need to find an SSI lawyer near me.”

An SSDI and SSI attorney in Pennsylvania will most likely be able to prove you are disabled at a hearing before an ALJ. At the hearing stage, it is important to have as much documentation as possible to prove your disability. Your attorney can help you prepare and avoid mistakes that could affect your case. At the hearing, your attorney can present your case with the best evidence to help you win.

Contact a Schuylkill County Social Security Disability Lawyer today

If you need assistance determining whether you qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits, contact our firm today. At Chermol & Fishman, we help people in Schuykill County through the SSA’s process from beginning to end. We work with each of our clients to help them get the disability benefits they need.

Our attorneys can ensure your initial application includes all the evidence it needs to prove your disability. If your application is denied, we can help you at every stage of the appeals process. You don’t need to go through this process alone. Call us today for a free consultation and let us get started building your case.